Phillies Nation

83 Responses to “Phillies, Ryan Howard Agree To 3Y/$54M Deal”

1. matt p Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

   beautiful…. simply what the phillies needed

2. Griffin Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

   Good move. Howard is a Phillie through his age 33 season. He’ll reach free agency when he’s declining.

3. Mike Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

   Yay! Good deal for both sides!

4. jeromy Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

   Great signing on both sides. This is exactly what the phils wanted. By the time this contract is up howard might past his prime and well have 3 more titles. Haha

5. Malcolm Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   Well done, Ruben! Three years is perfect. It’s going to be nice to not have to go through another Howard arbitration!

6. NJ Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

   NO FREAKIN’ WAY! Give a little for a lot attitude from Amaro and ownership and this gives me faith Ryan is commited to the club and his progress because it says ‘I want my focus to be on the field and in the headlines for my play not my contract’.

7. j cole Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

   I am not a huge howard fan, just because of his demands. I dont think he is worth all that much, but this is a job well done for the phils. No more record arbitration cases, and hopefully he’s happy enough to give it his all and stop swinging at all that trash he goes after.

8. NJ Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:53 pm

   Of course we don’t know fully who’s doing what but the star of the off-season seems to be AGM Scott Proferock.

9. Richie Allen Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

   I wonder how Geoff will like this one…

10. Justin Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    i love it, he’s now locked in and keep upping the price each year, good deal no more headaches out of him, cole and chase.

11. NC Jason Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Hat Tip to Amaro and the rest of the front office. I was really skeptical but clearly the guy has made some really good moves. Nice job all the way around.

12. Kev Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Where is Geoff?

13. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    justin, since wen were cole and chase headaches? I mean sure, cole complained about his $500,000 at the beginning of last season, as well he should, he was our ace and he went out and proved it. He was never a headache over his contract

14. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    haha kev, I think we are all wondering that

15. j cole Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    so, it is a good deal. I like howard’s power numbers. I dont dislike everything about him, but my real reason for a second comment, is there anyone left for arbitration now with the phils?

16. From Section 113 Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Wait a mintue Tim, he had 3 years of arbitration heading into ‘09 so this buys out 0 free agent years.

    I don’t hate the contract but this doesn’t buy out any extra years at all. Also, this sets up a trade possibility down the road since he’s now locked in at $18. I could definately see him bing traded after this coming season.

17. Amanda Orr Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Good deal. More than likely if arbitration went year by year, he’ll want more and more money each year. This at least keeps him at 18 per year, instead of going up to maybe 20 or 22 next year… Either way its a lot of money.

18. Robbi P Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    Lets go we have the tools to repeat in place and be competitive for years to come. I’m pumped now! Lets go Phils. Amaro, I wasn’t the biggest fan but I’m liking the deals you made so far. Great Job!

19. j cole Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    im sure the breakdown is something like 15 / 18 / 21 or something like that. there’s no way a guy like that is going to agree to 18 across the board for three years. after all, papa howard said, we’ve never seen a player like this.

20. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    no more arb cases, and why do you think he will be traded section 113? Yes, he’s at a somewhat reasonable price (by his standards), but still, i dont think he’ll be traded by year 2 of the contract, maybe at the deadline of year 3

21. Kev Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    Why cant we just be happy they signed him for the next three years, the deal hasn’t even been done for an hour and people are already talking about trading him. lol damn

22. NJ Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    all happy, this was the best case scenario. Stomachable number for a satisfying amount of time, takes away the drama, thoughts of a trade cannot now be predicted until we know what position the ballclub are in at the time, it’s 18 months before the discussion needs to even be mentioned.

23. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    agreed kev, i honestly don’t want to see howard go, he is a huge contributor to this offense and without him, frankly i think we’re screwed. Every year he puts up mvp numbers in run production, if he returns to .313 form or whatever it was, he’ll be an mvp for the next 3 seasons, and we’ll have 3 more rings to accompany them. with this move, i think amaro has given us a shot at winning the world series til at least ‘11

24. keep it posi Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    good luck with that phat phuck. he is a one dimensional player. too bad the phillies dont have players like carlos beltran, david wright, and jose reyes who can do more than one thing.

25. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    wow… a stuck-up mets fan, why am i not surprised. Hey posi, why don’t you go back to ur inferior metsblog and go cry with the rest of ur kind because you all know you are now SCREWED

26. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    so lets take a new poll, what’s ur grade for the offseason now, before arb signings i was at a d to be completely honest, but amaro is doing a good job, so I’ve bumped it up to a b

27. Tim Malcolm Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    “Wait a mintue Tim, he had 3 years of arbitration heading into ‘09 so this buys out 0 free agent years.”

    Right. That’s what I wrote.

28. Matt Veasey Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Outstanding development! Congratulations to Ryan Howard and his agent, and to Ruben Amaro and the Phillies as well. This is a great day for Phillies fans. Let’s play two!

29. Geoff Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Wow, didnt see this coming at all. There had been virtually no indication in the media that the two sides were close to anything. It looks like Howard realized that arbitration is nasty and didnt want to ever go through that again. The Phillies at least now have gotten some cost certainty with their squad, though Im surprised they caved in. Their payroll now is set to be high for a while now and this will be the makeup for a while too. This is a large contract for a team like the Phillies and indicates that for three more years (lidge, rollins, howard, utley, ibanez, hamels, etc) the core will be intact.

    Now Howard can focus on improving his fielding (desperately needed), perhaps dropping some weight and playing at a leaner weight to add more agility.

    Unless some other contract is moved, dont expect them to sign an expensive reliever or to give nomar that much money. theyve gotta be tapped out after this.

    I mean, Im ok with this move. Theres no real way to replace his production without trading him and getting that back in return so they were forced to at least keep him through his arb years and placate things.

30. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    tim, wats ur opinion on this

31. NJ Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    They Phillies don’t have players like Carlos Beltran (always knicked up), David Wright and Jose Reyes (questionable on field attitude and fundementals)…
    Well dear Mets fan Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jason Werth. The Phils are deeper and healthier than the Mets, respect to David Wright but Beltran and Delgado are the decline and the Mets have poor depth in all phases of the game.

32. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    geoff, on the terms of his fielding, i forget where, but i read something saying that he has been working with a fielding coach for some of the winiter now and has also been working on getting back into better shape. now that’s encouraging and good work ethic i like to see

33. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    nj, great response, dont forget hamels, blanton, and all of the minor league prospects, and we got marson waiting too, and paulino is showing great promise as well

34. Richie Allen Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Hey as long as we have the money…I’m happy.Lets get on with spring training and put this behind us.
    I never wanted to get rid of this guy as long as he is producing monster power numbers.It would be crazy to think about trading him.

    So,on with the show boys.and by the way,we dont need Muts trolls dissing our players.
    I cant seem to remember who won it all last year,but I’m sure it wasnt the Mets!

35. NJ Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    I give the off-season an A: Re-signing Cole, Ryan, Werth to multi-year deals that also includes Lidge as well as retaining great support peices in Moyer, Eyre, Park and adding serious competition for the final roster spots as well as what I think is a defining character addition in Ibanez. Have not seen a front-office do such a good job in locking-up it’s on talent in a while.

36. Ed Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Keep it posi…too bad Beltran, Wright and Reyes can’t pitch…then they might actually be useful. You keep enjoying those three stooges and we will enjoy our back to back division titles and World Series title.

37. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    richie, agreed on the muts fan subj, lik i stated prior to this, they’re jus pissed off cuz they no they’re screwed, esp cuz they’ve choked for the past 2 yrs, but hey, they say they’ve improved their bullpen and wont choke this year, you know what, i agree. But for different reasons… they won’t even be in it this year to choke

38. Chris Iafolla Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Good deal for both sides. The Phillies would have had to relinquish this much money throughout the arbitration process in all likelihood and this at least provides a firm number for payroll planning. For Howard, he does not have to go through the public spectacle of arbitration each season and gets the money he was seeking.

    Whether or not Howard deserves this much money is another debate entirely.

39. NJ Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Tyler I am over the moon happy with this off-season as a Phillies fan to the level I would be if I was a Yankees fan because I’ve seen my teams front office define the direction it’s taking the team in and execute it too a tee, questionmarks remain but the Phils are stacked in every department in the way teams like the Angels and Cubs are. The Phils are no longer just talented but have a great system in place around it to guarantee a play-off spot as well as the Yankees or Red Sox have in previous years in a very tough division.

40. From Section 113 Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    KEV- Yeah people just started talking about trading him…riiight. It’s not like this idea of trading Howard has been around for nearly 2 years.

    And why? Because now if we did trade him a team wouldn’t be worried about giving up players and risk losing 20+ Million in arbitration on top that. Also, Amaro has to know he’ll never sign Howard once he hits free agency and not just because he will be expensive, but maybe because he’ll be more suited to being a DH.

41. From Section 113 Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    Tim- I actually meant that to be a question to you, kind of sounds different when I forget to put that little question mark in. Oooppps.

42. NJ Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Respect the Mets it’s the only way to beat them but there seeing the Marlins and Braves behind them not the Phillies, they have a lot of juice but not a lot of squeeze as shown last season having to rely on guys like Tatis and Ayala… This off-season they’ve maxed out their credit card to fill glaring holes and have barely addressed depth especially since they’ve delt much of it away.

    Mets fans respect the Phillies, this is a team with the makings of a jungernaut and you didn’t really mail it in last year, you had a very good stretch to get back into contention and the Phils showed that they were made of. You can try and parade around as the top dog being hard done by but things have changed while you’ve been growling at The Post.

43. KM Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Didn’t see this coming, but it does make sense for both sides. After the 3 years are up, I totally expect the Phillies and Howard to part ways.

44. christopher Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    what’s that i hear? the sound of geoff backpedaling ferociously?

45. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    everyone says they expect the phils to part ways with howard after this, but i strongly disagree. if he returns to his above .300 avg that he had in ‘06 (?), then i wouldn’t be surprised to see an extension during year two of the contract. and clearly it would be well earned and beneficial to both sides if earned.

46. IRONPIGPEN Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    Howard = Important
    Done = Good

47. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    ironpigpen, i dont think any of us could have put it any better or any more concisely

48. metsblow4show Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    They just interviewed Howard about the new deal and he said ” I’m just glad to get this deal done, so that i can go out and prove Geoff the Howard Hater wrong”.

49. KM Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    I agree with you Tyler, IF Howard returns to his above .300 average I could see an extension, but the chances of that happening are about the same as the Phillies getting Cory lidle as the 5th starter(in poor taste, I know).

50. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    idk, i think its possible, even if he gets up to lik .280ish i could see an extension comin up for howard, but i think he would have to prove he could do it twice, not just have a fluke season, ideally year 1 & 2 of the contract

51. KM Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    If he could hit around .280 i’d lock him up until he was 62, i just do not see it happening. I truly believe he is a .260-265 hitter at best, who will go through his hot and cold streaks, while hitting 45 hrs, 140 rbis, 195 strikeouts, and 20 errors at the 1B position..

52. metsblow4show Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Hey Posi, the only thing Wright, Beltran and Reyes are better at is choking in September. And as far as one dimensional go, I will take 50 HR’s and 140 RBI over what you have at firstbase, Delgado is losing bat speed as we speak ! I hope “the Citi” has a state of the art drainage system because they are going to need it in September when the Mut fans are crying over “The Big Choke-Part III”.

53. KM Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    .280 is definitely a realistic number, but I just can’t see it coming to fruition.

54. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    i think we may see less errors from howard, as again i have referenced above. I forget where but i remember reading that he was working with a fielding coach to limit the errors this year.

55. Kev Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    Of course its possible, he did it twice .313 and .279, this year was his low year of .251 yet he still put up monster power numbers. Hes fully capable of putting up .280+ He starts off slow, much like the whole phillies roster, its not just necessarily howard, the team always starts off slow, because starting in April in philly, isn’t the same as starting in April in Florida, it takes them time to get in a rhythm, and its much harder when its cold outside.

56. KB Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    It’ll be interesting to see Howard’s commitment level with a new contract in hand. Will he get fat and complacent, or will he shed some weight and improve the weak points of his game. 50/50 odds.

57. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    KB, that’s actually a very good point, if he becomes fat and complacent, i agree with half the other ppl on this site saying trade him, that is something i DONT want to see, ever, in a player. I dont care if he hit 100 HR and had 300 RBI (actually i would but you get the point), i wouldnt want that attitude on this team.

58. Geoff Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    I dunno about backpedaling. If youre making 18M youd better not get off to a slow start..

59. Kev Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    So if he was making 5 million, im guessing it would be okay? Do you actually believe that he likes starting off slow? Im sure he does everything possible to get off to a better start. I dont know about you, but Baseball is the hardest sport their is, so stop assuming that he can just turn it on and rip through the year hitting .320 55 homers and 140. So now that hes making 18 million per, what kind of production DO YOU want Geoff?

60. cxl72 Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    This could be a terrible move. In a world where Bobby Abreu may go from making $16M last year to probably less than $5M this year, why in the world would you lock anyone up for the next 2 years when you dont have to?? What could those dollars in 2010 and 2011 be used for?

61. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    kev, of course it would be ok if he were making 5 million, lets keep it serious, even i would consider that an insult if i put up half the numbers he did

62. Kev Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Tyler, my point was, no matter how much money you are making, its not okay to start off slow, every player wants to start off and have a good year.

63. Ben Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Doesn’t the fact that he’ll make $15MM this year instead of the $18MM he might have made in arb. mean that we have $3-4MM this year for a 1yr contract for Ohman or a right handed bat.

64. Tim Malcolm Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Absolutely, Ben. Ruben has said the Howard deal will determine what’s left. Taking that information, they have $3M left to spend, maybe. So look for another small addition or two.

65. Geoff Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    I thought they were going to pay more this year, but Seeing that breakout of the years and money I think they CAN sign a cheap reliever and hopefully nomar for cheap…

66. cxl72 Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    If the Phils use the $3mil “savings” between Howards $18mil aribtration “win” and his $15mil contract salary to improve the 2009 Phils sounds great to me. IMO the Phils have two glaring needs: right handed bat, LHR — I hope they spend the money and put it into the team.

67. cxl72 Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    ….also, I’d love to be able to read through the materials the Phils and Howards camp prepared to support their arbitration cases. That would be a good read!!

68. Don M Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Don’t forget that if they trade Stairs, that is $1 M …. If they can find someone to take Eaton, you can possibly save some money there..

    I think the notion of the Phillies being “cheap” has gone out the window, they are spending, but not “over-spending”…. if Nomar or whoever takes $3-4 M to sign, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them do it.

    They’ve seen THIS group of players capture the hearts of the city, and they’ve done a great job of keeping these guys intact… I CAN’T WAIT FOR PITCHERS & CATCHERS!!!

69. Manny Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    HOLY SHIT WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!!!?!?!?!?

    MY FIRST IMPRESSION: a good, fair deal for both sides.

70. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    I am glad I look on here at work today, sunday, this is a shock a great shock, I thought I heard something and it was Geoff running for cover. This is a good deal for both parties, Phillies spend 18 mil a year for 3 years, have some extra cash this year by not paying 18 mill to the big guy. And if he has the same numbers this year and got the 18 mil. what would he ask for next year at least 20 mil. So they are saving money in the long run, and they were never going to get any of his FA years in an extension. My personal belief is that Ryan has a chance to increase his average back to .270- .280 especially now that he has his money. Now he is playing for the big money in FA. This deal makes total sense to me. We have basicly the same team as last year, Ibenez or Burrel, is the only change, we will miss Romero for the fist 50 games, all we need is someone to step up a little in ;the pen. And also 3 possible #5 starters, and competition is great in spring training, as long as the losers of the fifth spot can stay mentally prepared they might still get a shot if the winner falters or there is an injury. Lastly can we no stop bitching and saying trade the big guy, he is a key member to this team, and obviously wants to play in phila. so get off his back, because you know he will have to carry this team at some point and will need all his strength, thank you and see you all in april

71. Justin Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Tyler i apologize headcase was bad wording i simply meant no more worries about contracts with the big 3

72. Tyler Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    gotcha

73. keep it posi Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    JC Romero suspended for 50 games, Utley coming off serious hip injury, Ibanez sucks defensively and is another lefty, Ollie Perez is gonna dominate all your lefties (and righties) this year AGAIN. Lighting doesn’t strike twice Phaggots.

74. metsblow4show Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Posi, while Charlie Maunuel spent the offseason on the speech circuit and basking in the glory of being a World Championship manager, the Muts manager, Jerry Manuel, spent the offseason learning the Heimlich Maneuver, and you know they are going to need that again this year. With the addition of K-Fraud and Putz, your bullpen is about where it was at the start of last season with Wagner and company. Your starting staff is basicly the same staff as last year, but with Maine’s health being a question mark. Delgado is fading at first, you have a whiner at second in Castillo who was the worst run producer in baseball last year among everyday players and also quit on his team, you have an overated shortstop, who cares more about his dance moves then what it takes to win games. Your platoon of Tatis/Murphy in left is a joke. Ryan Church isn’t a bad player in right but he is no more then a fourth outfielder on a GOOD team.Your catching last season was brutal and what did Omar do to improve that? NOTHING ! So Posi, that being said, instead of coming on here running your mouth like an uneducated blowhard, why don’t you do something useful like ROTATING THE TIRES ON YOUR HOUSE !

75. Rob Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    Yo Posi… actually lightning does strike twice in the same spot… ever heard of a lightning rod… idiot. Oliver Perez. HA!

76. keep it posi Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    The Mets are gonna gut the Phillies like the blunt and then smoke the ganja out of you.

77. Kev Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    ^ creative, you jerk off

78. KM Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    why do mets fans come on here and run their mouths? one would figure that they have learned their place in the baseball world after the last two regular seasons.

79. metsblow4show Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Hey KM, the Muts fans are gonna learn their place this year when they struggle for a third place finish in the NL EAST.

80. OZ Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 9:02 am

    i have not been a fan of Amaro, a company man at best with less charm than Andy Reid. HOWEVER, I give him a “B” for the off-season, the Howard move being a very nice & unexpected move. I may even write Rube a “sorry” card.

    I will only go as high as a “B”, b/c I am reserving judgment on Ibanez, didn’t care for Rube’s lack of b*lls with the Romero steroid joke, and am fearful they will ruin JA Happ by not giving him the 5 starter spot.

    all in all, this team is in a good to very-good spot. Let’s go Phils!!!

81. Don M Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am

    I’m not sure why everyone was always against Amaro? I think he got such a bad wrap because he was under Ed Wade, so people associate him with Wade’s poorly structured teams???

    Amaro has done a great job this offseason, maybe overspending for Ibanez, and Moyer.. but he did what he needed to do to get the players he wanted..

    I can’t wait for this season to start!

82. Chuck P Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Don, I don’t think that anybody on here has anything against Amaro but I believe that judgment has been reserved for two reasons; Gillick did a good job while he was here so we’re expecting a let-down and Amaro’s annointment caused the departure of the guy that might have really deserved the job (Hunsicker).

    What everyone hears, besides Geoff backpedaling (with dignity, I might add), is Posi smokin too much of that ganja… he’s just sweating heavy… sweatin’ like a fat kid chasing the school bus. Sweatin’ like a cold pipe on a hot August day… sweatin’ like half of the Mets squad when the calendar is flipped over and the month reads “September.”

    Go get ‘em…

83. Ganja Skateboard Says:
    July 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    Very nice. Thanks for this.

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